...as the largest democracy votes : The farcical side of election
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 26 , 2014 -

As the largest democracy votes, having crossed the half way mark of the 9 phased Lok Sabha election, what is becoming more and more clear by the day is the manner in which candidates and political parties, without any exceptions, are ready to go for the jugular.

Manipur too did not lag far behind in the game of one up manship that was staged before the electorate.

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Election Commission of India may have given Mr Rio the clean chit, but the manner in which he played the ethnic or communal card did not miss the eyes or ears of the voters.

In dubbing Mr Okram Ibobi Singh as the biggest enemy of the Naga people, Mr Rio played a dangerous game to polarise the voters.

The abduction and subsequent release of Dr Khashim Ruivah on the ground that he was canvassing for the BJP in the Outer Parliamentary Constituency was a reflection of how muscle power was used in the election.

Does not need rocket science technology to understand who or which group was behind the abduction of the former Minister and MLA.

It was no different in the Inner Parliamentary seat too, with all the political parties and candidates playing to the gallery and landing punches on each other, with many of them below the belt.

No meaningful debates at all, only rhetorics and playing to the gallery.

Why were there no meaningful debates on the abysmal power and water supply ?

Why was there no debate on why it has taken so long for the Imphal Sewerage Project to complete ?

Why was there no discussion or debates on the conditions of the Imphal-Jiribam line ?

Or are these issues of no importance to the people ? No wonder Manipur continues to lag behind other States in almost every aspect.

Talking about the rich culture of the land and basking under the glory brought by the sportspersons ring hollow in the face of the fact that in a day of 24 hours, the people receive only 7/8 hours of power supply.

And we are talking about the capital of the State. The situation in the far flung areas and the hills can only be imagined.

Election is central to the idea of a democracy and hence it is important to see that candidates and political parties do not cross the line of decency while campaigning.

Manipur did not see a Praveen Togadia, who grandly announced that anyone against Narendra Modi should be sent to Pakistan, but the absence of any meaningful debates or talks on issues which have a direct bearing on the daily existence of the people is a standing testimony of the quality of the election which was held here in two phases.

It is interesting and at the same time disgusting to see public figures of all hues and colour relying on lung power and polarising the people along ethnic, communal and religious divides.

The largest democracy in the world certainly deserve better than this.

Certain other points should also be kept in line.

Sure there is a Modi wave sweeping across some parts of the country, but it is not the people or voters who elect the Prime Minister of the country.

By dubbing Modi, the Prime Ministerial candidate, the BJP may just be trying to take the people for a ride by capitalising on the Modi wave and the so far poor show put up by the Congress, especially by the not so young Gandhi scion.

The media, including The Sangai Express did lap up the Prime Ministerial candidate part, but a thought needs to be given to this point.

There will be different takes on this and it would be interesting if a debate starts off now on whether it is okay or right for a Parliamentary democracy to dub a leader as the Prime Ministerial candidate.